Major Bendigo Rail sleeper project complete

Crews have replaced 48,000 timber sleepers on the Bendigo Line with concrete between Sunbury and Bendigo.

More than 50 workers were involved with the upgrade, which started in January working through the night to minimise disruption to passengers.

The new sleepers were manufactured locally at the Austrak factory in Avalon.

Replacement of the timber sleepers is expected to provide customers on the Bendigo, Echuca and Swan Hill lines with more reliable and comfortable journeys.

The works are part of the State Government’s $103 million investment in major maintenance across the V/Line network this financial year.

The State Government is also investing an additional $90.5 million to upgrade and replace signalling, sleepers and ballast on regional lines as part of a $2.7 billion building blitz to kickstart the economy.

Timetables resumed over the weekend on the line though there will continue to be some changes to evening services to accommodate rail milling works on some nights until Friday 5 June.

Member for Bendigo East Jacinta Allan said this massive project will mean Bendigo locals who rely on V/Line services get the service they deserve.

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